8ID supports the PNP and the community in the fight against ELK-ED

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the 8ID joined the Provincial PNP leadership and other government and non-government representatives in the launching of Multi-Sectoral Quick Reaction Team (MSQRT) dubbed as “Kasugbong”. This move hopes to address Extra-Legal Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ELK-ED). A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Pledge of Commitment were signed by all stakeholders. The activity was held at Cocina de Cabral, Catbalogan City, around 9:00 a.m.

MSQRT is spearheaded by a local civil society organization known as Multi-sectoral Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA). It is supported by the Euro-Phil Justice Support Program (EPJUST), The Asia Foundation and the Ateneo Human Rights Center.

In his message, 8ID Commander Major General F Mario Chan AFP expressed his commitment of support and cooperation to the ideals of the group. He cited his standing policy to all soldiers to observe respect of human rights and the exercise of the rule of law during the conduct of ISO. As such, these are now being implemented as evident in the capture and arrest of a certain Erickson Acosta, who was identified to be a member of a local terrorist group (LTG) in Samar Island. The rights of the suspect were respected when he was accosted last February, 2011.

General Chan encouraged the stakeholders to put up a collective fight against extra legal killings and terrorism to promote a safe environment. Being a member of the Regional Development Council himself, he mentioned current efforts to push through with road development projects that are expected to curb lawlessness by way of faster delivery of basic services and response to natural and manmade disaster ###.